Earrings from astronaut’s grandmother glitter in space
Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi has posted an image on Twitter that shows her wearing her grandmother’s earrings in space.
Ms Barnawi is the first Arab woman to go on a space mission and the kingdom’s first female astronaut.
The research scientist, 33, arrived on the International Space Station on May 22, along with fellow Saudi astronaut Ali Al Qarni.
They are to return to Earth on Tuesday.
The Saudi astronauts joined the UAE’s Sultan Al Neyadi, who arrived at the ISS in March for a six-month mission.
“Grandma, I flew your earrings to space,” Ms Barnawi said in her post.
Her grandmother presented her with the jewellery when Ms Barnawi announced she was going to space.
The picture was taken while she was working on a science experiment on board the ISS.
Ms Barnawi and Mr Al Qarni will perform 14 experiments during their eight days in space, but they have also taken time to help Dr Al Neyadi mark a special milestone.
The Emirati astronaut turned 42 on Tuesday and spent some of the day celebrating with the ISS crew, who presented him with a cake.
“Celebrated my first birthday in space with colleagues who have become family,” Dr Al
Neyadi said on Thursday in a Twitter post that included an image of his party.
Ms Barnawi and Mr Al Qarni were seen in the image as they settle into life on the station.
Mr Al Qarni, 31, a fighter pilot, also shared images of his experience in space on Thursday.
One picture showed him in the cupola, a panoramic observatory on the ISS.
“A day on the International Space Station. How’s your day on Earth going?” he tweeted.
The Saudi astronauts have performed a test run of an experiment that aims to show how kites behave in microgravity. Three kites of different shapes are to be fixed to a fan and their movement tracked.
Ms Barnawi and Mr Al Qarni are to host a live event with thousands of pupils in Saudi Arabia to show the results.
Ms Barnawi will also carry out experiments involving cancer stem cells.
She will take part in a study called Modelling Tumour Organoids that could help to predict and prevent cancer.
The research involves monitoring breast cancer cells to assess immune dysfunction and drug challenges.
It is hoped the experiment will help with the detection of cancer and improve therapies for the disease.